I sensed this throughout this chapter.
In Hebrews 11, it speaks of people in the "hall of faith." They were great men and women of the Bible that exemplified great faith in Christ even through their sins and flaws. God was able to use Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, Rahab, etc. to do incredible things. I love how Francis Chan says how our faith should look like which is, "Having faith often means doing what others see as crazy. Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers." God calls us to be salt and light in this world so there should be a difference in our lives compared to non Christians. "If we allow ourselves to live recklessly for Him, then we, too, will see His glory. We will see Him do the impossible." Don't live your life safe or stuck in your comfort zone but live your life that will cost you during your life on earth but will be more than worth it in eternity.
"The ultimate example of sacrifice and surrender is, of course, Jesus Christ. He had everything but still chose to surrender it out of love for His Father." Our attitudes should be the same as Christ.
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. -Philippians 2:6-11
One way we can show our tangible love for God is through how we care for the poor and those who are suffering. If you actually saw Jesus starving, how would you react?
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presences whenever our hearts condemn us. -1 John 3:16-20
"True love requires sacrifice. And our love is shown by how we live our lives: "Let us not love with words or tongues but with actions and in truth."
Walking intimately and fully surrendered in Christ requires great faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Life can be very comfortable when we separate ourselves from people who are different from us, but God doesn't call us to be comfortable. "He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through." "We are each given different gifts and talents by our Master. The thing that matters most is how we use what we have been given, not how much we make or do compared to someone else. What matters is that we spend ourselves" Where are you storing your treasures at? On Earth or in Heaven? Live and walk by FAITH!!
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